Akwa Ibom Lawmakers Reject Motion to B+n Dog Me@t Consumption

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has rejected a motion seeking to prohibit the sale and consumption of dog me@t in the state. Sponsored by Uduak Ekpoufot, representing Etinan State Constituency, the motion failed on Tuesday after it received no seconder a procedural requirement for debate.

Ekpoufot had cited public health concerns, warning that unhygienic sla¥ghter practices expose consumers to diseases such as rabies, salmonella, and trichinella. He also criticized the methods used to k+ll the animals as inhumane. Despite these arguments, the House declined to consider the motion, leaving dog me@t consumption unregulated.

The decision has sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some residents criticized the motion as a misplacement of legislative priorities, while others celebrated the rejection as a “victory for the masses” and a preservation of local culinary traditions.

Dog me@t consumption remains widespread in parts of Nigeria, with cultural beliefs attributing medicinal and cosmetic benefits to the me@t. Experts warn that outright bans may be difficult to enforce without viable alternative protein sources.

Globally, the sale and consumption of dog me@t is banned or restricted in several countries, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Taiwan, and South Korea. Opponents of bans argue that dog me@t can have benefits if consumed responsibly, though animal cr¥elty concerns persist.